Facial nerve electromyographic monitoring to predict movement in patients titrated to a standard anesthetic depth.

Background: Facial nerve (FN) monitoring has been accepted as a standard of care in craniofacial, middle ear, and skull-based surgeries as a means of reducing iatrogenic injury, localizing the FN, and predicting postoperative neurologic function. Past studies have also shown that FN electromyographic monitoring (FNEMG) may have some clinical utility as a monitor of anesthetic depth and predicting patient movement. In this study, we evaluated Bispectral Index (BIS) and FNEMG using two different anesthetic techniques to determine whether these monitors can be used to predict movement in patients undergoing skull-based surgical procedures.

Patient-controlled analgesia combined with either ondansetron or ondansetron plus prochlorperazine for control of pain and nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

Study Objective: To compare ondansetron with ondansetron plus prochlorperazine, added to a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) solution for control of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).

Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blinded study.

Setting: University hospital.

Morphine/ondansetron PCA for postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting after skull base surgery.

Objective: Patients who underwent skull base procedures have been noted to experience appreciable pain. This study examines pain after surgery and the effectiveness of patient controlled analgesia (PCA) with combination morphine ondansetron for analgesia and control of emesis.

Study Design And Setting: A total of 120 skull base surgery patients were randomized to receive placebo, morphine, or morphine ondansetron.